The collection consists of papers of Portland, Oregon businessman Thomas Kerr, Jr. and his family, particularly correspondence, records, and photographs relating to Kerr's career in the grain trade. Business correspondence and records include issues involving a property at Camp Ono in California, dealings with the firm Andrew Weir & Co., and materials relating to the Helix Milling Company. Photographs relating to business include images of business meetings and gatherings, grain facilities, the construction and demolition of grain elevators, and grain fires. Other business-related materials in the collection include grain price tables, and records and memorabilia of the firm Kerr Gifford & Co. Inc., including a payroll ledger and cipher codes.

Family papers in the collection include photographs; correspondence of, clippings about, and obituaries for Kerr's mother, Mabel Macleay Kerr; Peter Kerr's account ledger; and ephemera. Other materials consist of railroad timetables; materials relating to Charles E. Dant; and blueprints for the Eric Hoffman residence, designed by architect Van Evera Bailey.